Hospice Finds Dying Woman's Brother in Their Own Shop

When Muriel Bujega asked hospice staff to find her brother, she never imagined he was already part of their community.

The 73-year-old woman receiving palliative care for breast cancer at St. Christopher's Hospice in South London told staff about her dying wish. She wanted to see her brother Colin, who she hadn't spoken to in nearly 15 years.

Nurse specialist Phoebe Mooney took on the challenge. After months of searching and jumping through administrative hoops, she finally connected with an occupational therapist who knew Colin well.

The discovery shocked everyone. Colin was already volunteering at one of St. Christopher's own fundraising shops.

"He couldn't believe it was me," Muriel told reporters. "I was in tears, crying on his shoulder. I'd missed him a lot."

The siblings, who both have learning disabilities, lost contact when Colin had to move after his caretaker passed away. Meanwhile, Muriel had become withdrawn and isolated following her husband Joseph's death.

The reunion proved deeply emotional for everyone involved. "I honestly couldn't believe it," Phoebe said. "It was just really lovely."

Sunny's Take

Muriel has thrived since moving to the hospice in 2023, becoming a beloved presence among staff and patients. She works out on the treadmill, paints pictures of her late husband, and carefully matches her nail polish to her outfits.

Her story highlights something most people don't know. New research from St. Christopher's shows only 20% of Brits realize hospices can help reconnect families and fulfill bucket list goals.

"By asking people 'what matters to you', we shift the question away from simply asking 'what's the matter with you'," said Helena Talbot-Rice, the hospice's rehabilitation and wellbeing lead. "This can have a profound impact on a person's engagement and overall experience."

For Muriel, the hospice has given her exactly what she needed: purpose, community, and now her brother back in her life.